New pilots start between the European Patent Office and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office

On 6 January 2015, new two-way PCT-PPH pilot programs began between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the following Offices which act as International Searching Authorities (ISAs) and International Preliminary Examining Authorities (IPEAs): the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, and the Israel Patent Office Under these pilots, faster examination in the national phase in Canada or […]

On 6 January 2015, new two-way PCT-PPH pilot programs began between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the following Offices which act as International Searching Authorities (ISAs) and International Preliminary Examining Authorities (IPEAs):

the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, and

the Israel Patent Office

Under these pilots, faster examination in the national phase in Canada or Israel, or in the regional phase before the EPO, is available on the basis of a PCT application with a positive written opinion from either the ISA or the IPEA, or a positive international preliminary report on patentability (IPRP) (Chapter II) (that is, where at least one of the claims has been determined as patentable) issued by the other Office in its capacity as ISA/IPEA.

On the same date, new PCT-PPH pilot programs also began between the EPO and

the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, and

the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.

Under these pilots, faster examination in the national phase in Mexico or Singapore is available on the basis of a PCT application with a positive written opinion from either the ISA or the IPEA, or a positive international preliminary report on patentability (IPRP) (Chapter II) (that is, where at least one of the claims has been determined as patentable) issued by the EPO in its capacity as ISA/IPEA. Furthermore, faster examination can also be requested at the EPO based on the national work product established during the processing of a national application or a PCT application that has entered the national phase in Mexico or Singapore.

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Canada has joined the Patent Law Treaty (PLT), designed to streamline formal procedures for national and regional patent applications and patents. WIPO received Canada’s instrument of ratification of the Patent Law Treaty on July 30, 2019. The PLT will enter into force for Canada on October 30, 2019. Canada’s ratification brings the number of PLT contracting […]

In an effort to boost innovation and trade, the EPO has signed Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programmes with the patent offices of Canada, Mexico and Singapore to launch accelerated treatment of patent applications, starting in January 2015. The bilateral agreements were signed in Geneva at the side lines of the World Intellectual Property Organization […]

IP4all Weekly Bulletin

The new EU trade mark Regulation enters into force on March 23rd. As a result, the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) will change its name to the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

The amending Regulation also revises the fees payable to the Office, including an overall reduction in their amounts, particularly in the case of trade mark renewal fees. On 23.3. 2016, the Office’s online application forms and fee calculator will be automatically updated to reflect the new system.

From its base in Alicante, Spain, OHIM has processed more than 1.3 million Community trade mark applications in 23 EU languages, from nearly every country and region in the world, since 1996.

The Amending Regulation was published on 24 December 2015 and is part of the EU trade mark reform legislative package that also includes the replacement of the existing EU Trade Mark Directive (Directive 2008/95/EC of the European Parliament and the Council).

OHIM is the EU’s largest decentralised agency. It is entirely self-financed, receiving no funding from the EU Budget. As well as managing the Community trade mark and the registered Community design (RCD), it works in collaboration with the EU national and regional IP offices to build a stronger IP system across the EU for the benefit of users.